Chapter 848 Chapter 848
Uri stood on the step, scanning the bush area. Oryn had been gone a while, and he’d had to convince himself that she was fine. She’s survived this long and knew what she was doing. His owl wasn’t buying it, but he agreed that the kids needed him to stay here and watch over them.
Ben came out of the trees. He seemed as restless as Uri did. He’d gone out to walk the perimeter and check for any disturbances. Uri had observed him and knew Ben’s exceptional hearing was developing, but he still needed to physically see all was clear.
Uri sent him an inquiring look. “All clear? The little ones are napping.”
Ben nodded. “I considered having one.” He shrugged. “Having a full stomach makes you tired.”
Uri nodded. What could he say to that? Sorry, you’ve been starving out here.
Ben stopped and looked at the bush and then at the ground by his feet. “How do you know when you’re going to shift?” He frowned. “That first time, I mean.”
Uri straightened and looked at him. He hadn’t expected that. “Well, it’s different for everyone.” At least, that’s what he’d figured out. “For some, they feel their owl closer and are able to distinguish between their own thoughts and it.” He glanced at the trees. “Sometimes appetite increases.”
Ben lifted one brow.
“Yeah, I guess you wouldn’t be able to gauge by that.” He sucked at this. “Have you been feeling different?
Ben gave him a typical teen shrug. “Kind of. It’s going to sound dumb, but sometimes I don’t feel like I’m alone—but I am.” He sighed. “I can see further lately. I don’t know if it’s because the snow is leaving and everything isn’t white or—” Another shrug.
“That sounds like your owl is much closer to the surface.”
“Yeah?”
Uri nodded.
“I can’t wait to be in the air.”
Uri didn’t know how much Oryn had explained to him. “Well, I’m going to tell you the truth, okay?”
Ben nodded.
“The first time with a flier isn’t like the other shifters. You can’t fly.” Uri grimaced. “Well, you can, but don’t. It takes an insane amount of energy for us to shift—” He paused and debated on saying the next part. “--And it hurts like hell at first.” All the time, but he didn’t say that. “So, don’t fly until there is another experienced flier with you. Work up to real flight gradually until you and your owl get a feeling for limits, okay?”
“So what, we could be in the air and then not when we run out of gas?”
Uri wanted to grin, but he didn’t want Ben to think he was taking what he was saying lightly. “Something like that, the first time, you should stretch your wings, move muscles, and get a feel for how they work. It’s not at all similar to how you move right now.
Ben was quiet for a moment. He waved his hand up and down his body. “I just don’t know where all of this goes when I do shift.”
Uri did grin this time. “I know. I’m still amazed when I shift back and forth.”
“I guess that’s why we never go get x-rays or go to a hospital.”
Uri nodded. “Yeah, that would be a tough one to explain.”
“Ben.” Oryn came running out of the trees. She was carrying her jacket and boots. “Get the rifle.”
Ben didn’t even hesitate; he just hurried by Uri and went inside.
“What’s going on?” Uri picked up his backpack and pulled out the leather case of his revolver. Was in. He had it out and gripped it before his feet hit the ground at the bottom of the step. He didn’t look at her; he just started scanning the treeline.
“Filthy scavenger headed this way.”
Uri had no idea what animal that was, but if Oryn was this worked up about it, so was he. He heard the slide of the rifle locking into place and moved out further to see if he could spot any movement. He felt her near him, and his owl was even more alert.
There was a sound to the right, and they both turned.
Uri caught the orange moving between the trees, and his owl relaxed. “Whoa.” He put his hand out to shove the rifle down. “Hang on.” He didn’t release the barrel. “Tait. If that’s you, this is not the time for hide and seek.”
A familiar fox came bounding out of the trees. He skidded to a stop and stood there.
“What are you—”
“Oryn.” Ben was off the steps. “It's wearing a pack. Not wild.”
Oryn lowered the rifle. “That’s your friend?” She looked at Uri.
He nodded. “Yes.”
“Holy shit. Is that a jaguar?”
Uri turned to see where Ben was looking. Calum Dante came walking out of the trees like he was doing no more than being out for a stroll. “Calum.” Uri felt relief fill him. The cavalry was here.
“There’s another one.” Ben’s voice squeaked with excitement.
Uri looked to see Shaelan coming out behind Calum. “Shaelan.” He smiled.
“I've never seen other types of…”
“A polar bear. Oh my god. Don’t move.” Ben held his hand out toward Wynter. “Wyatt has to see them.” He stumbled up the steps and ran into the building.
Wynter looked around and then sat down.
It was like the beginning of a lame joke, Uri thought. A fox, two jaguars, and a polar bear step out of the trees— He looked at Oryn. She still had the rifle in a white-knuckled grip. Going over, he eased it out of her hands. She blinked and then looked shocked. She’d forgotten she was holding it.
“They really came?” She whispered.
Uri smiled at her. “They really came.”
She leaned closer to him. “Do you think they’d be offended if I wanted to pet them?”
He snorted.
“Except the fox. I don’t want to touch that.”
Uri looked over at Tait. Some fox had gotten on the wrong side of her. “I'm pretty sure they’d find it weird," he said as quietly as he could.
She stood straight. “Right.”
Wyatt, Ben, and Adam came flying out of the building.
“Oh my god. Do you see them?” Adam stumbled by them.
Oryn grabbed his arm. “This is not the zoo, Adam.”
He slid to a stop. “Right. Yeah. Okay.”
Uri caught the amused look on Calum’s face just before they went back into the bush to shift. He felt like a weight was lifted off his back. Maybe now his owl would settle down. Neither of them were used to being responsible for others.